Anita Harwood: Former Derby mayoress and 'wonderful wife' dies aged 82

When a young Frank Harwood was given two tickets to take someone ball dancing with him, it's fair to say that he was not looking to take his future wife, who he says stood on his toes whenever they were dancing. But by the time one girl told him "I am washing my hair" and the other just turned his invitation down, he settled on asking Anita - and, as they say, the rest is history.

Former Mayor of Derby Frank spoke lovingly about his wife of 63 years, who has died after an illness lasting about 12 months aged 82, and whom he says "was the love of my life", as he tried unsuccessfully to hold back tears as he talked about her.

He said: "I was attending ballroom dancing classes in Derby when I was given the tickets for the Trocadero, on Normanton Road, which was very popular and run by entrepreneur Sammy Ramsden. Anita wasn't my first choice dance partner but it turned out really well and was a good night and we began to see each other for a couple of years before marrying in 1961.

"We set up home in Leyden Street in Derby and managed to scrape together the £110 deposit we needed for the house. Anita was a very shy person until you got to know her and she was wonderful in her capacity as both deputy mayoress and mayoress essentially during the period 2017 though to 2021, as I had two years of being the mayor during Covid."

Anita was born in Derby and was educated at Traffic Street Primary School before moving on to Reginald Street Secondary School. She left work at 15 and started work at Turner's Shoe Shop in St Peter's Street, before qualifying as a nursery nurse and working at Kitchener Avenue Nursery.

After marrying Frank, Anita went to work at Longdon's Mill in Agard Street but returned to nursery work looking after children at the newly-opened Cedars Vietnamese Refugee Centre on Mansfield Road, Breadsall Hilltop, where she worked for 17 years.

Frank said: "Wherever you found Anita, there would always be children and she looked after a number of children privately at one stage. She was also busy looking after our sons Michael and Paul and eldest grandchild Leanne.

"Anita was also a wonderful support to me when my career as a football league referee required me to travel to away matches. Despite not being a football fan, Anita would did sometimes come with me to matches and was a guest of the Football Association at the 1981 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley. She was also a great help during my political life and was often to be found making tea and providing biscuits at my councillor surgeries in Oakwood, where we have lived for many years."

The couple also loved going on cruises together and the first was to the Canary Islands, which Frank said they thought was the best ever. He added: "So when it was our 50th wedding anniversary in 2011, I wanted to recreate the cruise by going on the same ship, to the same place and to renew our vows on board.

"And with the exception of one slightly different port of call, we were able to do that. We also had a marvellous party at The Spot Banqueting Suite before we went. We always liked having parties and her funeral will be a celebration and party too."

During Anita's time as deputy mayor and mayoress, she, together with Frank, attended very many events and ceremonies. He said: "One I especially remember well is when Princess Anne visited the War Memorial Village at Shelton Lock to celebrate its 70th birthday in 2019. Anita, who was needing to sit down, was sitting on the memorial bench when Princess Anne made a point of coming across to her and asked if the seat was comfortable before strolling on.

"Anita was such a pleasant person and so supportive of everything we did. It was a shock when she became ill following on from a fall when she broke her hip and then later she banged her head and a lump was discovered and she had headaches. At the hospital, Anita was told she had terminal cancer of the parotid gland and received radiotherapy.

"I always promised her that she would be nursed at home and we were able to get support from some wonderful people including carers from Treetops Hospice, who came in while I nipped out to do some shopping, and they became friends. She passed away at home. I have received some lovely messages about Anita and I want to thank everyone for their kind words."

Anita also leaves daughters-in-law Nikki and Louise, grandchildren Leanne, Telina, Madison, Kayleigh and Alfie, great-grandchildren Kyle, Deacon, Rory, Toby and Arabella and great-great-grandchildren Bow, Alijah, Lacie, Layla, and Autumn, sister Bonita and brother-in-law Kevin.

Anita's funeral service will be held at Markeaton Crematorium, Main Chapel, on Thursday, November 7, from 10am. No requirement to wear black. Family flowers only but donations in Anita's memory to support Treetops and Oakwood branch of the Royal British Legion are encouaged. The family say everyone is welcome.